Teen Haven Camp: Testimonies & Transformation

Throughout the summer, there have been hundreds of urban youth who have spent one week encountering the beauty of God’s creation and serenity at Teen Haven Camp. Tomorrow will be the final day of camp for summer 2009. Please join us in praying for lasting change in the hearts and young lives of the campers. Pray that God would remind them that THEY ARE STRONGER IN HIM alone. Also, pray that they would know and experience God’s continuing mercy and peace, and remember that He desires to walk with them through all challenges they may experience.

Below is a specific testimony of the transformation that impacted the life of a young girl at Teen Haven Camp…

From the start of the week, she made known that she did not want to be at camp. She wasn’t a troubling child. She wept and would not take part in some activities and insisted on going home.

I spoke to her and asked what she did while at home. “I watch T.V. and like to read books a lot.” I encouraged her to stay away from the T.V and to continue reading. I also reminded her of the importance of being very selective in reading “good stuff”. At that point, out of the blue, she asked me for a Bible. I said on one condition, “You read it through once!” She smiled and agreed. I told her to remind me Friday before she left for home.

She came up to me on Friday and reminded me of our agreement. I gave her a brand new Bible. She embraced it and smiled. I reminded her of her promise. She smiled and said, “I will! Thank you.” Some plant, some water but the Lord gives the increase. Praise Him!

- Vinny Mikusow, Teen Haven Camp Field Director

Songs, Sharing and Unexpected Blessings

Recently my wife Deb and I had the privilege of speaking about the Water Street Mission to a group of residents at Country Meadows Retirement Home. We were greeted by a very sweet lady who happened to show up to chapel early. We were blessed to hear her story and inspired by her faith and love for the Lord. As the evening progressed we were treated to a variety of the old hymns that just aren’t sung much in most churches anymore. (Deb was particularly pleased with this part of the program.) After I spoke for a few minutes about the Mission, the group was asked to pray for two new employees, and then several of the residents gathered around Deb and I.

Along with Pastor Jim, this group of veteran prayer warriors prayed over Deb and I, our kids, the Mission staff and our clients. We were then presented with a gift from the group in the form of a song that they sang to us. Pastor Jim said that the residents had been rehearsing for some time. The whole point here is that we went there to talk about the mission and to hopefully inspire some of the residents, but God turned it around so that it became a huge unexpected blessing to us.

Scooter Haase - Executive Director, Water Street Mission

Outreach Ministries - Serving our Community

Last Tuesday, we found there was more donated produce than we could distribute through Outreach Ministries so we loaded a pallet of bread/pastry and a pallet of cantaloupe and took it to the streets. Two of the program men came along, one made a sign that read “From God to you” which we hung on the back of the truck. When we found the right spot off South Duke Street we pulled over and displayed the free goodies. One of the residents of Men’s Ministry headed off with small gospels of John to invite people to come and partake of the free food while we waited at the truck. Curious folks soon came to see what was going on and word spread fast once it got out!!

There were many neat things about this experience. We could communicate how God remembers them and is the one who ultimately provided this gift for them. It was a delight to see the expressions on faces and answer the “how many can I have question” with “as much as you can use but no more!” One of the men who came along made the connection that this is one thing his pastor was talking about on Sunday when he said – “love God, love people and impact your community” What a joy to help spread out the bountiful harvest God has given again this summer!

Dean Wenger – Redistribution Manager

Campers Encountering Christ

In the midst of challenges experienced at Teen Haven Camp, God is impacting the lives of urban youth. His grace sometimes even uses personal areas of brokenness and weakness, in the young campers, to reflect his love even more fully!

During a recent wagon ride, a young boy attending Teen Haven Camp shouted profane words to a lady walking her dog. That evening, her husband called and voiced his anger and displeasure towards the young man and us.

We took the necessary corrective action for his harsh words, and he took the rest of the week to take inventory of his actions, the consequences and the pain caused by his words. What he realized even more was his need for someone that could help him in this area. Thursday he found that One. He accepted the Lord as his Savior and made things right with all of us.

My concern was for making things right with the lady and her husband. I prayed and asked the Lord to reveal these folks. On Friday morning, I took the guys out for a wagon ride and told the guys to look for a dog that would resemble the one the lady was walking. Just as we thought the cause was lost, a young man spotted the dog and pointed to a house.

That evening I visited the house and met the lady and her husband. I expressed my apology and asked for forgiveness. They shrugged it off as typical for kids in today’s society. I told them how the Lord used all this to instruct the young man and help him realize the pain of such words but most importantly that he found his cure in Jesus. He got saved Thursday night and expressed a heart of restitution. He apologized for his actions to all and included them in this apology. They were both very moved and expressed a joy in hearing this turn of events. They thank me for sharing with them the rest of the story. In all things He is to be glorified. He was! };-))

- Vinny Mikusow, Teen Haven Camp Field Director

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate. The training behind these three words saved the life of my friend, Navy Pilot Ron Carlson as he flew a night mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom soon after the events of 9/11.

His S-3 Viking’s cockpit filled with smoke several seconds after takeoff from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.

With lost electronics and communication, Carlson had two choices: to eject into the water where the possibility of being found at night was remote or risk landing on the carrier which was now obvious only by a small deck light in the darkness.

During those few intense moments, Commander Carlson did exactly as he was trained: he aviated – by retaining control of the plane, he navigated – by keeping the one small light from the carrier in sight, and he tried to communicate with the ship – though unsuccessfully!

What is it that compels a Navy Pilot to trust in the training he had received during the course of a career?

I’m not sure what goes on in the brain of a Navy Aviator but Commander Carlson’s very real dilemma reminds me of a fundamental question of greater importance that each of us must answer. Can we trust in a God we can’t see especially when times are tough?

Many of our residents struggle mightily to trust others. Each remembers a time when they did extend trust to someone only to receive abuse and harm from the one deemed trustworthy. And each carries a lingering fear that broken trust is the norm and trust in God is as futile.

How can we – resident and staff member alike – learn to trust in the God who is there especially when life makes no sense?

By the way then Commander, now Captain Ron Carlson, did survive the crash landing on the deck of the Roosevelt. And he returned to complete his tour of duty.

- Steve Brubaker - Chief Vision Officer, Water Street Ministries

(Images given with the permission to document this experience)

WSHS Opens Satellite Free Clinic in Lebanon in partnership with the Lebanon Rescue Mission!

A 26 year old woman requested an appointment to see the doctor secondary to severe weight loss in the last six months. She was so thankful to have someone listen to her that she was in tears on the phone as well as the entire time of her clinic appointment. Her home situation was becoming increasingly difficult with “teenager” problems, a very demanding boy friend and the recent death of her mother whom she had found in the morgue in Philadelphia. At the time of the clinic visit, it was determined that she was in severe depression and the nurse administrator made a referral to Phil Haven the next day through Access/Phil Haven. The patient was seen/evaluated by Phil Haven and is now receiving medication and outpatient counseling/therapy 3 times a week at Phil Haven.

- Ginger Giammattei, RN, BSN, Nurse Administrator

WSHS now has the privilege of serving those in Lebanon County who have no access to healthcare services and an income at 200% or below of the federal poverty level. This young woman is one of over 100 people we have seen since opening March 26th, 2009 and each have an urgent need to be heard, helped and given hope for a future that is free of pain. Pain comes in many forms & often the physical pain can be less than the emotional and spiritual suffering.

The Lebanon community has been amazing in pulling together to support the free clinic by volunteering time, providing resources and funding. More is needed for the need is great & we know the Lord will provide by touching those who can give to help. We will share more as He provides and heals those we take care of.

NEW Art Exhibit - Debuting at First Friday

Homeless children’s art answers ‘What is Home?’
The Water Street Mission exhibit debuts for First Friday

Art composed by nine homeless children living at the Water Street Mission will debut publicly at Prince Street Café, 15 N Prince Street, August 7 for First Friday.

The children created drawings to answer the question, ‘What is home?’ in conjunction with a Water Street Mission ceremony in May to celebrate over fifty men, women and families who had moved out of homelessness.

“The children’s drawings depict simple messages of love, family and faith,” said Maria Schaszberger, director of communications at Water Street Ministries. “The exhibit shows that moving out of homelessness involves more than finding a house,” she said.

The Water Street Mission is a division of Water Street Ministries that serves the homeless in Lancaster County.

The exhibit will be on display at Prince Street Cafe through September. It’s the second art exhibit created by clients living at the Water Street Mission. The first exhibit debuted in December at the Prince Street Café and has been on display at various churches and businesses, including August showings at Manor Brethren in Christ Church and West End Mennonite Church.

Wonder Club Early Learning Centers

Shaving cream, pet stores, sing-a-longs, and more… Watch how these experiences each help create the learning environment for children who are a part of Wonder Club Early Learning Centers. The video below, filmed by WJTL, visits two of the classrooms as parents, teachers, and staff share about the ways that their lives have been impacted by the lives of the children who are a part of these classrooms.

Salvation Stories Shared from Teen Haven Camp

1 Peter 4:10-11
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The following stories reveal how the grace of God is equipping and strengthening many urban girls during their experiences at Teen Haven Camp during a recent week of summer camp:

During breakfast one girl approached Vinny, the Teen Haven Field director, and showed him the wrist bracelet she was wearing. It was designed to reflect the wordless book. The Gospel explained in color. And with little charms that symbolized the cross, heaven, heart, etc, she explained that she received that bracelet two summers ago and with that she also received a spiritual birth certificate. She shared that her mother insisted that she keep it in good shape, only wearing it on special occasions and to camp, a reminder to her of that special day. She mentioned that one charm got lost. Gina, a staff member of Teen Haven, was the one that made these bracelets and still had left over charms. She came up with the missing charm, the heart. We couldn't help but take photo. A smile, radiant and priceless. In rest and returning! The Lord leaves His fingerprint! (Her story is also captured on the Teen Haven video that WJTL filmed, and which is posted on the previous blog)

Another girl, injured her toe in the pool Tuesday, and went to the hospital Wednesday to make sure that everything was alright. During this time the staff had a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ, one-on-one with her. Then on Thursday we found out that she had a slight fracture in her toe. Through this time we were able to minister to her physical needs, and on Thursday she accepted the Lord as her Savior. Made whole and STRONGER in Him!

Recently at Teen Haven Camp there were 35 young ladies who came for the week, and 20 in this group were first timers to camp. Praise God for his transformation in the lives of 18 girls who made decisions to know the Lord – and were made STRONG in HIM!!! 13 girls who accepted Christ were attending Teen Haven Camp for the very first time.

Please pray that God would continue to allow these girls to step out with a renewed identity as His chosen daughters, and that they would use the gifts He’s given them to glorify Him.

Teen Haven Camp

Teen Haven Camp is a ministry located in Brogue, PA that welcomes urban youth from Lancaster, York, and Philadelphia. Check out the video below to hear testimonies of: Teen Haven campers, counselors, and staff as each person shares a glimpse into the experiences they’ve had as a part of Teen Haven Camp.



This video was filmed by WJTL.

Volunteers Creating Impact

“I have the privilege of volunteering with Water Street Ministries once a month on an official vacation day from my full time job. Volunteering gives me tremendous satisfaction as I can align my value with the Mission’s Core Values.

The staff I interact with are more than staff members. They are so wholly committed to the mission of Water Street as evidenced by the conversations I have with them. I have no idea what their pay is (nor do I want to know) but I can feel they give 100% plus to the mission of Water Street. I consider it an honor to be able to give a few hours a month to support Eunice in the office.”

Cheryl

Warmest regards from Lancaster County,

Cheryl Deaven, Director of Membership & Community Outreach
PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau

Water Street Mission

Experience some of the life changes that are happening at Water Street Mission by watching the following video that was filmed by WJTL. Hear from residents, counselors, and staff as they share testimonies and reflect on the way that transformation has taken place in their lives during their experiences at Water Street Mission.

Urban Youth involved at Teen Haven York

Alex Mikusow is the Field Director of Teen Haven in York. Here, he shares a little bit about what God has been doing in the lives of the urban youth who are connected to the ministry of Teen Haven:

Several weeks ago, at our first week of summer camp, we had 5 boys from York city make decisions to accept Christ. Three of them were in one cabin. The Jesus film helped the boys see for themselves what Jesus Christ went thru from them. Yesterday, we had Bible study for these boys and 4 out of the 5 attended. It is amazing how much they don't know about the Word of God, as we continue to teach through the Word of God.

The involvement of youth in York continues outside of camp too! Recently we partnered with a local church to put on a Youth Rally in the city. Over 20 teens from the church joined with me and several of our Teen Haven teen leaders to host the event. Together we passed out over 800 flyers to the local community, and many children, teens and families came out for the events. Later that same week, we had another outreach at Bantz Park on the west side of the city.

Please pray for our outreach ministries, so we can reach these young people for Christ and continue to be salt and Light to them and their families.

Alex Mikusow, Teen Haven

Watch... to learn about Water Street Health Services

The video below, filmed by WJTL, explores Water Street Health Services, as you hear from clients, doctors, volunteers and staff about their experiences and ways that God is working through their interactions at Water Street Ministries.

Sharing Life Together

Today we loaded up our truck with furniture that a departing resident picked out. A couple guys are helping him move in as I write.

It’s been real neat getting to know him over the last couple months he worked with us. I came to appreciate his struggles and challenges more, and it’s fun to celebrate with him on getting his own place. He was smiling and wanted to be sure we were coming to pray over his new home. He may be coming back to volunteer some with us. Our lives have become better as a result of the opportunity to share life together for a short time.
It’s pretty amazing to think of the large number of people working together to make all this possible for him—counselors, furniture donors, pick up scheduler, truck driver and helper, caseworker, landlord, friends who lent listening ears, every donor who gave to his welcome home gift box, doctor, prayer warriors, and others I missed- but most of all God who orchestrates all this as a demonstration of his love and ability to redeem things that some of us would see as hopeless!!

- Dean Wenger, Redistribution Manager, Water Street Ministries

My Day

The computers keep freezing, why does the patient schedule not print in chronological order, we don’t have test strips for the diabetics, the copy machine isn’t fast enough and it puts lines in the copies, I don’t like it when she says that to me, well I think we should do it this way, I can’t believe she forgot what I told her, guess I’ll have to get it in writing next time, I need…, we must have…, if this keeps happening…, the refrigerator temperature is to high, we have to cancel, the part is not in, we can’t fix it….

Lord, is there anything positive to this day? I have been working since 830a and it is now 1030p & all that is racing through my brain is that everything is broken or not good enough! Why do I keep pounding my head against a wall of people that are complainers and ungrateful in a decaying world? Does anyone really care what happens to those who don’t have access to healthcare? Do You care….?

As I sit here at my desk at 1030p I am exhausted and discouraged. Sure didn’t think that after 6 years I would be fighting some of the same battles day in and day out. Fighting often against those that are supposed to be working together to help others. Fighting against those who want to help others, but let’s not get to close to this Jesus freak perspective when we care for others.

My hearts says NO!! You Lord are the ONLY reason that I am here, the ONLY reason that I care. If I listen to those who would have me whine and complain like they do and want to not talk about Jesus too much as we care for people, I would give up immediately. You fill me with your love for others, You fill me with your sweet presence, You fill me with your joy that doesn’t depend on my circumstances or what is going right or what is broken.

I was whiney, broken and ungrateful and You died for me anyway and loved me with a love that is beyond my comprehension. Why do I keep serving day after day? Because Jesus lives within me and I am serving Him. When I am weak, He is strong! So may I boast in my times of weakness, pain and tears, for that is when He does a mighty work, in me and in others around me. As I speak to the Lord He brings to mind His words of truth and comfort. Thank-you Lord!
Oh yeah…

• The baby with diaper rash is now not crying so loud due to the healing balm you provided for me to smooth over the painful blisters.


• The Spanish woman with eyes wide with fear due to pain in her belly and fear of getting her blood drawn, yet as I speak your calming words to her she begins to smile and relax, You have her.


• The middle aged, graying gentleman looks so sad, he’s not sure he wants to keep living, does he have a plan to kill himself – No, will he be safe if we let him go home, yes, for he is grateful that someone finally stopped to listen to him, is he going crazy, no, he has had a day like mine, Lord thanks for passing on to him your hope.


• The young angry man broke his hand a couple of weeks ago by punching a wall, better than punching a person, now he is in daily pain, splint and some pain pills, an x-ray and a touch of truth as to why he punched the wall and why is he so angry that he hurts himself and others. He leaves calmer than when he arrives.

As I think about those I have touched and who have touched me today…Oh yeah, now I remember Lord why I do this day in and day out, You show up!

- Gale Thomason, Executive Director, Water Street Health Services

Lydia Center Interview - Part 1

Lydia Center Interview on WJTL - pt 2

Teen Haven Summer Camp 2009 - Has Begun!

The first week of Teen Haven Summer Camp was on July 22-26 - here are some details from the week:

There were 20 young men (Ages 9-11 yrs) - many broken hearts, broken spirits and scarred bodies. There were 7 who had never been to Teen Haven Camp before, of which 4 came to the Lord. During the week, 11 youth made decisions to accept the Lord, and each were issued birth certificates with their names signed by the interns, and had their picture taken. At the end of the summer the certificates will be mailed to every youth who came to the Lord this summer. This will be a beautiful reminder of their decisions this summer.

God worked powerfully throughout the week, in the hearts of the youth. Here are some stories...

- One boy, sat in front of the chapel attentively. The Lord was really dealing with his heart. Thursday right before dinner he came up to me and said, "Mr. Vin, when I was in the pool, I just couldn't stop thinking about Jesus. You know, I decided to sacrifice my life to Him."What a wonderful way to describe salvation.

- Another youth’s cabin won the quiz down word game. The winning cabin earns a pizza. As the cabin was partaking in the pizza, he sat with head down weeping. When approached, he shared something very special. He lifted up his head and said, "I can't eat this pizza. It's not fair to the others that didn't win. Why can't they all share in the pizza? The entire cabin stopped and marvel at this young man's compassion for the others. His gentle spirit blessed our hearts.

- Finally, before the campers went home, each one got a blue T-shirt with the camp theme “I AM STRONGER IN HIM,” written on the front. As the campers left on Friday morning, they all had their shirts on, and it looked like a wave of blue shirts, heading out to Philadelphia and York. Pray that the youth will continue to step out with the knowledge that they are STRONG IN HIM.

- Vinny Mikusow, Field Director, Teen Haven Camp

Wonder Club Interview (2) at WJTL